Belt buckle



Oct. 11, 1932. G. R. BLICKHAHN BELT BUCKLE Original Filed Feb. 16, 1929 Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I GEORGE E. BLIGKHAHN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS BELT BUCKLE Original application filed February 16, 1929, Serial No. 340,456. Divided and this application flled January 30, 1930.

This invention relates to belt buckles, and more particularly to a novel type thereof designed and adapted to enclose a small photograph or other picture, and the subject matter of which is divided out of my pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 340,456, filed February 16, 1929.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical buckle having means permitting the ready insertion and removal of a photograph or the like, and to attain certain advantages as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The invention consists in the novel construction and in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and set forth with particularity in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating a practical adaptation of the invention,-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a belt to which the improved buckle is applied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in section, of the belt structure in the region of the buckle; i

3 is a front elevation of the buckle, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the buckle;

Fig. 5 is a face view of the photograph retaining plate; and

Fig.6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawing, the letter A designates an ordinary belt, to which the buckle of the present invention, designated generally by the letter B, is attached.

The buckle B, as shown, comprises a main body plate or frame 11 formed of sheet metal and having an opening or window 12 which is closed by a sheet of transparent material 13 which serves as a protection for a miniature photograph or snapshot 1% that is inserted in the buckle. Preferably, the picture 14 is received in a countersunk portion 15 of a plate 15, which latter is held in place by the opposite marginal portions 16 of the Serial No. 424,475.

main body plate or frame 11, which are rebent so as to efiectively clamp said plate 15 whereby to retain the latter and the interposed photograph or picture and the transparent material securely in position. When desired, the marginal clamping portions 16 of the belt body or frame may be bent back to permit the removal of the plate 15, photograph 14 and transparent protective mate rial .13 for the insertion of a different photograph or picture.

In other respects the buckle may be constructed in any approved or desirable manner. As illustrated, however, the belt A is provided with athong 17 at one end, which is passed through the loop of a yoke member 18 having pivot extensions 19 which work in sockets 20 provided therefor on the bent-over belt retaining and guiding flanges 21 and 22, respectively, of the main body plate of the buckle and serve to guide the belt through the buckle. The thong 17 is provided with the usual snap fasteners 23 and 24 which are usually provided in belts for the purpose of permitting the ready detachment of. the buckle, at will.

By the foregoing described structure the buckle functions as in the ordinary structures of this character, with the further advantage of the provision for interchangeable ornamentation, and, while the structure herein shown anddescribed is practical for the purposes intended, obviously the structure admits of considerable modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claim. The invention, therefore, is not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown in the accompanying drawing.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure .by Letters Patent is A belt buckle comprising an outer body plate having a window opening, a backing plate, and an interposed panel member held in place marginally between said backing plate and said outer body plate, opposite marginal portions of said outer body plate 7 being rebent inwardly and clamped retentive- 5i ly upon the adjacent marginal portions of said backing plate, and transverse marginal portions of said body plate being bent inwardly to provide spaced belt guiding and retaining flanges.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE E. BLICKHAHN. 

